Jude Bellingham investigation deadline set after alleged Mason Greenwood comment

An investigation deadline has been set after Jude Bellingham's alleged comment to Mason Greenwood.

The pair of England internationals lined up against one another on Thursday 1 February as Real beat Getafe 2-0 courtesy of a brace from Joselu.

But the clash was plunged into controversy over an alleged remark from Bellingham to Greenwood following a tackle.

Footage was shared on social media and though there was no audio Getafe made a formal complaint, which led to both La Liga and the Spanish FA (RFEF) launching an investigation and enlisting the help of a lip reader.

Spanish outlet COPE have now issued an update on the matter, claiming that a judge will soon gather information about the allegation.

They then have a 15 day period to make a proposal for whether the complaint will go any further.

After this, each club will have 10 days to give their evidence.

The report states: "The next step is to appoint an investigating judge who will gather all the available information about what happened and who in about 15 days will make a proposal for sanction or dismissal of the complaint. From there, the clubs will have 10 business days to present allegations."

If evidence finds that Bellingham did indeed make a slur, then he could be banned for up to four games, it is claimed.

Representatives of Real and Getafe have remained tight-lipped on the incident, though the latter's manager Jose Bordalas did offer a brief comment.

In a press conference earlier this month, he said: "I know the same thing that you know. It’s not up to me, it’s the club, La Liga and the Federation that have to make an assessment about it.

“The only thing that I can say is that I ask for respect from Mason Greenwood because he is a great guy.

“He is a man who respects everyone and has exemplary behaviour.”

Greenwood joined Getafe on loan from Manchester United in the summer following the conclusion of a lengthy club investigation which decided it would be best for him to resume his career away from Old Trafford.

His final game for the club was in January 2022, prior to Greenwood being arrested and subsequently charged with attempted rape, assault and coercive control bac.

The charges were then dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service just over a year later after key witnesses withdrew their involvement in the case and new material came to light.